Mary's family have issued a statement saying: "We are today grieving the death of our beautiful and loving Mary. We would please ask that the public and media respect our privacy and allow us to try to come to terms with what has happened."

The body of a man was found at the site of the shooting in Spring Hill, in Northiam, near Rye, East Sussex, after he turned the gun on himself.

He is believed to be the girl's father named Yasser Alromisse. Neighbours said the man suspected of shooting his daughter was "not supposed to know where she and her mother lived" and that he and Ms Shipstone had been involved in a custody dispute.

There was a stand-off, the whole village was terrified. He then shot himself and we think he's dead. This is leafy, rural Sussex - it's a nice area. Paul McCartney lives in the next village. This is not the kind of thing that goes on here.

- Local Resident

Before her death, Mary, a pupil at Beckley Church of England Primary School, was said to be 'gravely, gravely ill' in Kings College Hospital, London following the shooting. Her mother remained at her bedside as police warned: "We probably need to prepare ourselves for bad news."

Neighbours have described their shock at the incident that took place in a quiet, leafy suburb, 12 miles from Hastings on England's south coast.

A man who lives close to where the incident occured, described chaotic scenes and said the village was "on lockdown" and armed police were everywhere.

"There was a stand-off, the whole village was terrified. He then shot himself and we think he's dead. This is leafy, rural Sussex - it's a nice area. Paul McCartney lives in the next village. This is not the kind of thing that goes on here.'

Police believe the shooting was an isolated incident and are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident. They said there was "no suggestion that the public are in danger."

Detective Chief Inspector Jason Taylor said: "This is a fast-moving investigation and there are still a large amount of inquiries being carried out before we can confirm the full picture of what happened. We are currently trying to establish Mr Alromisse's movements over the last few days."

Chief Superintendent Neil Honnor has described the shooting as "a tragic domestic incident that has had the most terrible of outcomes for the family".

"We are trying to be as open and honest with the public as we can, but have to take into account the traumatic experience the family is going through."